Rice formally names Vanderbilt deputy AD Roger McClelland as new athletics director

On Sunday, Rice officially announced former Vanderbilt deputy AD Tommy McClelland its next athletic director. McClelland will assume duties on Aug. 14.

“We’re thrilled to be able to attract someone with Tommy’s breadth of experience and success,” Rice University president Reginald DesRoches said in a press release. “He brings the values of academic excellence and deep integrity that define Rice, coupled with a passionate desire to compete successfully at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics. These attributes will be critical for Rice’s first season in the American Athletic Conference and the years to follow.”

McClelland will take over for former Rice AD Joe Karlgaard, who left in June for the private sector. According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, McClelland’s appeal was founded in his financial talents.

“Part of the attraction of McClelland to Rice officials came from his fundraising and oversight of the nearly $700 million in new facilities being constructed at Vanderbilt,” Thamel wrote. “As the deputy athletic director overseeing external affairs and revenue generation, McClelland played a big role in fundraising and planning the projects, which were spearheaded by athletic director Candice Storey Lee.

“With Rice entering the American Athletic Conference this season, the school is aiming for its athletic department to better fit its high-end academic image. Much of that will start with tapping into Rice’s strong alumni base with fundraising, a similar challenge that McClelland faced at Vanderbilt.”

McClelland is excited about the opportunity.

“I am incredibly grateful to President DesRoches, the search committee and the Board of Trustees for the opportunity to serve as vice president and director of athletics at Rice University,” McClelland said. “My family and I are thrilled to join the Rice family and the Houston community.

“Rice is a world class university with a storied athletics tradition,” McClelland said. “The institution’s move to the American Athletic Conference signifies its ongoing commitment to elevating the Rice athletics programs and competing at the highest level. I look forward to locking arms with our student-athletes, coaches, staff, campus community and the Greater Houston community as we work together to unlock the full potential of Rice Athletics.”

While at Vanderbilt, McClelland headed the Vandy United campaign, the largest athletics fundraising campaign in school history. The program ultimately raised $300 million to boost the creation of new and renovated athletic facilities at the university. McClelland was also in charge of the Commodores’ marketing and promotional efforts, ticket operations and sales, fan engagement and hospitality, broadcasting and Learfield partnership.

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